Terra SimmsDirector of Programs, Housing Location
Dr. Terra Simms has over 20 years of diverse experience in public service, ranging from early intervention to program management. She started her career in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) and provided crucial therapy to children and families. Terra is from Oklahoma and gained extensive experience in construction through her work with local churches to repair and rebuild homes affected by severe weather. This experience uniquely qualified her to oversee the construction of A Bridge Home (ABH) shelters.
Later, Terra managed both an ABH shelter in Los Angeles and a Winter Shelter in Long Beach, leveraging her expertise in housing location and program management. She joined PATH in 2021 as the Associate Director, where she oversaw a dedicated team of 40 and acquired over 45 buildings. Terra also created extensive training materials, policies, and procedures before becoming the Director of Housing Location in 2023. Terra holds a Master’s in Social Work and a Doctorate in Business, which has helped her excel in business operations, budget management, and policy development. Outside of work, Terra enjoys painting, watching reality TV shows, and spending quality time with her beloved dog, Dena, and her significant other.